Phoenix Suns: Time for a Heart Check
The Phoenix Suns have Game Three at home. It is a game that they must win. They trail the San Antonio Spurs by two games. To continue to the next round of the playoffs, they must win four of the next five games against the Spurs. That is the challenge - or it is an early playoff exit and time to ponder next year.
This Phoenix Suns team was rebuilt to beat Tim Duncan and the Spurs. The Suns traded for Shaquille O’Neal for the expressed purpose of negating Tim Duncan. However, the matter may be decided by the Suns’ bench players.
Grant Hill is injured. It means that more scoring will be needed from their bench, especially Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw. The Suns have shown in these playoff that they can score and develop a lead. The problem is maintaining that lead, especially in the third quarter. The Spurs have made the necessary adjustments and had effective third quarters. Gregg Popovich has done a masterful job of using the half time to make changes and to put the Spurs in a position to win.
The two games (Game Three and Game Four) are in Phoenix. Game Five (if there is a Game Five) is in San Antonio. The next two games especially will show how much heart this Phoenix team has. Any lapse of focus now for these Phoenix Suns could mean a very early exit… and a very long summer.
Catherine Forsythe
Tags: Boris Diaw, Gregg Popovich, Leandro Barbosa, NBA, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs
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